Bills contact Bill Cowher

Posted by NBC Sports on November 23, 2009, 8:08 PM EST

The Buffalo Bills aren’t going after coordinators this time around.

Frustrated by a decade of futility, Bills owner Ralph Wilson is hunting big game in the coaching field. He’s expected to meet with Mike Shanahan this week, and the NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports that the team also contacted Bill Cowher last week.

Cowher’s policy is that he isn’t interested in discussing any jobs until after the season — out of respect to CBS and current coaches.

While nothing will happen on the Cowher front for a while, The Chin is reportedly closer to returning to coaching that he has been since retiring. And Buffalo will reportedly spend big bucks.

A “source close to Cowher” told NFL Network that compensation in Buffalo could reach $10 million-per-season. (Spittle comes free.) It sounds like Wilson is willing to pay a lot, but he also has to be worried about being used to drive up a coach’s price for another team.

No matter how things shake out, it would be surprising if Wilson doesn’t have plenty of competition for Shanahan and Cowher.

Wilson…
PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!! Cowher builts teams the right way. Depth and drafting!

scrapdawg12 says:Nov 23, 2009 8:20 PM

Contact Me. I’m available. I’ll start by getting rid of all the shitty players and keeping the ones that can play. Trent..Cya, Fitzpatrick…Cya. They just need a darn QB and a line on both sides of the ball, lol.

stiller43 says:Nov 23, 2009 8:20 PM

Bill Cowher – Multiple AFC Championship games lost at home and made the playoffs 4 out of his last 9 seasons with the ‘burgh…just sayin…

JockoJohnson says:Nov 23, 2009 8:28 PM

Only 16 years away from the Super Bowl if you sign him today!!!

Canyonero says:Nov 23, 2009 8:30 PM

If Buffalo gets Cowher, and he get Kevin Colbert to come over from Pittsburgh as GM, they’ll have a solid organization and start winning. Bank on it.
It’d be fun to watch Belichick vs. Cowher twice a year.

ravensos says:Nov 23, 2009 8:30 PM

yea it only takes him 20 years

bluestree says:Nov 23, 2009 8:35 PM

I don’t know about this one. Seems like the “Get a big name and pay him way more money than anyone is worth.” theory of building teams is largely discredited, is it any different when it comes to coaches?I think the real problem for Wilson is to put together a front office that can put together a roster, and is committed to maximizing fan experience and increasing community support. But it looks like it will be “hire a big name to put asses in the seats” and end up foundering around with disappointed fans when the big name coach doesn’t win in a couple of years.

Richm2256 says:Nov 23, 2009 8:35 PM

As a Patriot fan, I want to be concerned about Cowher going to a division rival …
Meh, they pretty much owned his a$$ when he coached the Squealers.

BillsFan27 says:Nov 23, 2009 8:36 PM

Although I have a feeling this isn’t going to happen – due to more eyepleasing jobs elsewhere – I have to say that “Buffalo Bill Cowher” does have a nice ring to it.

Kimmel says:Nov 23, 2009 8:42 PM

Willing to spend big bucks? What about Bill Parcells? He can take a buy out from the Dolphins at any time correct? What is to stop him from taking the buy out and then taking millions for the Bills ?

Beastie Bills says:Nov 23, 2009 8:44 PM

The more hear, the more I believe Ralph is just blowing smoke up our asses.

GiantsDefenseRules says:Nov 23, 2009 8:49 PM

“Cowher’s policy is that he isn’t interested in discussing any jobs until after the season — out of respect to CBS and current coaches.”
Translation (minus the spit):
“I want to see if I can coach Carolina since I already live here and don’t want to move. Plus, they are a lot closer to a Super Bowl than Buffalo. Throw in a QB who can complete passes and another WR…you actually have a team!”

What’s with the smash on Cowher, “it took him 14 years to win a Super Bowl”. So what? How long did it take you?
Besides, the following points are important: 1) Cowher’s teams won a lot of games and played hard, they were in the running most years. 2) He’s an exciting coach, e.g., not Dick Jauron, who always seemed like he was recovering from dental surgery. 3) See number 1.
It may shock the casual football fan to hear this, but most teams do NOT in fact win the Super Bowl each year. In fact, statistically your team is not going to win it. But believing every year that you have a chance… yeah. That’s nice.

SaintsBucsPanthersSUKK says:Nov 23, 2009 9:09 PM

Dollar Bill Cowher will coach the Panthers next year. Meow.

tdprog1 says:Nov 23, 2009 9:11 PM

I love how stiller fans bash Cowher. This guy did nothing but win and last I checked won a Super Bowl. Tomlin takes over his team and wins another Super Bowl. Those are Cowhers guys Tomlin won with.
News Flash to Stiller fans, Eric Mangini could coach that team to a Super Bowl with the players Cowher left behind, just saying.

Richm2256 says:Nov 23, 2009 9:35 PM

“It may shock the casual football fan to hear this, but most teams do NOT in fact win the Super Bowl each year.”
This comes as a complete shock to Patriots fans, who are used to Super Bowl wins.

ShruggingGalt says:Nov 23, 2009 9:40 PM

Paging Mr. Rooney.
Mr. Rooney, you have a call on your rule phone.

Adept says:Nov 23, 2009 9:42 PM

@Richm2256
Perhaps teenage patriots fans…

spyboots says:Nov 23, 2009 9:51 PM

Cowher is waiting for the Panthers job.
(PS – He might have won 1 or 2 more AFCC games had Bellicheat and Marsha not cheated in them.)

Imagine a “small market” club, who was 1 of only 2 clubs to vote against the current CBA, claiming that they are cash strapped…..then paying their new coach THE MOST in the NFL.
Sounds kinda odd to me.

piccolo says:Nov 23, 2009 10:31 PM

Ralphie,
Just pay me a mere $1M and I’ll gladly come in and at least do as good as Dickie J did. If I don’t, you only have to pay me $750K. I’ll even pay my expenses to move there and back after you fire me.
See ya soon!
PicMike Florio: The Glenn Beck of MSNBC

Canyonero says:Nov 23, 2009 10:33 PM

Richm2256 says:
“It may shock the casual football fan to hear this, but most teams do NOT in fact win the Super Bowl each year.”
This comes as a complete shock to Patriots fans, who are used to Super Bowl wins.
———
The odds have been against even the Patriots the last few years, if only 1-4, 1-6. And you’ve won only 3 of 43 of them.

steelerer says:Nov 23, 2009 10:40 PM

Canyonero says:
November 23, 2009 8:30 PM
If Buffalo gets Cowher, and he get Kevin Colbert to come over from Pittsburgh as GM, they’ll have a solid organization and start winning. Bank on it.
It’d be fun to watch Belichick vs. Cowher twice a year.
Not happening, Colbert has strong ties in the community and his brother is the head coach at St. Vincents college. Also Im pretty sure he doesnt mind working with cowher replacment that much.

Stainless Steel says:Nov 23, 2009 11:07 PM

Don’t get me wrong… I think Cowher was a great coach, but the Steelers are and continue to be a great franchise with the most Super Bowl victories because of the Rooneys. They are the best owners in pro sports. They are the ones who continue to hire great coaches, scouts, managers and so forth.
Faith is spelt R-O-O-N-E-Y.

Deb says:Nov 23, 2009 11:20 PM

I’d be surprised if Cowher wanted to trade his hometown team, Pittsburgh, which he’d dreamed of coaching, for Buffalo. Much colder climate than Pitt. Team needs major rebuild. Wilson’s in his 90s and his heirs reportedly don’t want the team, so Cowher won’t know who the long-term boss will be or where the team will be located.
On the other hand, he and the family seem to like Carolina. I think he’s waiting to see what happens with Fox.
As for Colbert–he and Cowher aren’t a matched set. Colbert has a great relationship with the Rooneys and seems to get along well with Tomlin. In the constant upheaval of the NFL, he might appreciate the opportunity to work for stable owners who won’t fire him anytime the mood strikes.

steelframe says:Nov 23, 2009 11:29 PM

Cowher wants Carolina, or a high-profile team that will satisfy his ego (Washington or Dallas… he would probably go to NYC but neither of those jobs will be open any time soon).
Buffalo just isn’t a very good job, and someone that will in essence have his choice of where to go would not have it anywhere near the top of the list.

east96street says:Nov 24, 2009 1:15 AM

Richm2256 says: “This comes as a complete shock to Patriots fans, who are used to Super Bowl wins”
0-1 without the cameras.

notsosmart says:Nov 24, 2009 2:21 AM

Raheem is not worried. It seems the Glazer’s (Buc’s ownership) always enter the bidding a day after the agreed upon facts.

tatum32 says:Nov 24, 2009 6:44 AM

“PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!! Cowher builts teams the right way. Depth and drafting! ”
If he gets a GM, it could happen. Cowher will stay 100 feet away from Dan Snyder (hell, Cowher respects Al Davis more)
Then again, its much easier push through the playoffs in the NFC in Carolina or Dallas. With Buff he’d be facing Belichik twice a year.

DonTerrelli says:Nov 24, 2009 6:49 AM

We all know Cowher is waiting for John Fox’s job so he doesnt have to move out of NC

mike01 says:Nov 24, 2009 6:50 AM

I think Ralph should sell the Bills to Jim Kelly and let Jim take care of business.

Alzado's Vein says:Nov 24, 2009 6:50 AM

The only reason Cowher is considered a good head coach is because of Art Rooney. His teams were mediocre at best for the majority of his tenure there. The only reason he won a superbowl is because of Big Ben. This guy thinks hes great, but the fact is, he’d been fired long ago if he’d worked for any other organization. Screw him, hes only in it for the money the next time around anyway… I say Billick is a better fit.

mrlefty says:Nov 24, 2009 7:05 AM

Mr. Wilson, Every professional sports team that wins consistantly has one thing in common…stability, even the steinbrenners figured that out eventually, Jones and snyder will also. The Teams that have a winning organization over decades, have a “family” feel, take care of the employees, front office and players well beyond their “usefullness. I point to the Rooneys asa prime example. Noll, Cowher,. and now Tomlin would not enjoy the success they had or have with out this committment. It is a committment that is not shaken when things go bad, “losses”. Noll and Cowher both had a number of losing seasons mixed in with the wins and the Rooneys stood by their man.
one last point, the Rooneys also don’t put up with nonsense of any kind. Many good quality players learned this during many off seasons when the Rooneys let go or traded “problem” players. I’m sure the front office is run the same way.
So there you go, start treating ALL of your Employees like they will be with you for life, and demand they conduct themselves properly with team spirit,or they are gone.
BTW, you had this once with Marv Levy!

marinofreakout says:Nov 24, 2009 7:52 AM

to the idiot that suggested bill parcells take the buy out and work for the bills-ur an idiot
what was to stop him from doing that last year? whatever it was its gonna be the same thing that stops him this year
namely, the sub zero temperatures, the whack ass accents people from buffalo have, the fact that the buffalo organization now is even more hopeless than the 1-15 dolphins. essentially, it would require more hands on work than parcells wants right now. hes chilling in mia, hes got a good thing going, he doesnt give a sh*t about money hes “BILL” parcells. did i mention that hed probably rather live in pergatory than in buffalo?

Krow says:Nov 24, 2009 8:08 AM

Seems to me that the ticket to success isn’t hiring a coach who ‘had his day’. But in finding the right up-and-coming coordinator from another team who’s ready for the top job.

Filbertkiwi71 says:Nov 24, 2009 8:47 AM

IMO, this is all public relations. I believe that the Bills will contact all of these coaching Big Whigs for nothing more than PR. Then the Bills will end up hiring another coach with no street cred, no rings, no nothing on the cheap. It is all about the hype.

Nard100 says:Nov 24, 2009 1:12 PM

Ralph, just hire Jason Garrett and get this farce over with. We all know you are not going to hire a REAL coach and that nonsense about not wanting to “drive up the price” speculation proves it.

Alzado's Vein says:Nov 24, 2009 3:16 PM

I used to think Cowher was a tough guy, but after seeing him as an analyst, I think hes a freakin dork.